ventral tegmental area

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ventral tegmental area

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·May 4, 2020·4 min read

Exercise boosts motor skill learning via changes in brain’s transmitters

Neurons in the caudal pedunculopontine nucleus, an area of the brain that regulates motor coordination, switch neurotransmitters from acetylcholine to GABA as a result of exercise. The switch appears to provide feedback control that regulates motor coordination and skill learning. Read More

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Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·October 15, 2019·3 min read

Researchers discover potential therapy to treat detrimental effects of marijuana

Prenatal exposure to THC makes dopamine neurons hyperactive and increases the sensitivity to the behavioral effects of the compound during pre-adolescence. This may increase the risk of developing schizophrenia later in life. However, treatment with pregnenolone, a drug under clinical trials for ASD, cannabis use disorder, and schizophrenia, appears to correct the brain abnormalities and behavioral problems associated with prenatal cannabis exposure. Read More

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·June 26, 2018·3 min read

How Your Brain Decides Between Knowledge and Ignorance

Researchers report the brain's reward network could play an influential role in evaluating the opportunity to gain new information, just as it does to evaluate rewards such as food or financial gain. Read More

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·January 25, 2019·3 min read

When It Comes to Brain Connectivity, Cell Location Matters Most

A new study reports brain connectivity appears to be dictated by the spatial architecture of neurons, rather than the cell type-specific cues. Read More

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Featured Psychology

·March 3, 2016·5 min read

Looking at Brain Activity May Aid Self Motivation

Researchers are using a new brain imaging strategy to understand how to manipulate specific neural circuits in order to help motivate people. Read More

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Featured Open Neuroscience Articles Psychology

·March 1, 2016·5 min read

Why Adolescents Are More Vulnerable to Addiction

A new study explores why teens may be more vulnerable to addiction than adults. Read More

Featured Neuroscience

·April 6, 2020·6 min read

Newly identified digestive-brain axis controls food choice

Study reveals a novel learning process orchestrated between the digestive system and brain that compels animals to seek out novel foods. Read More

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Featured Psychology

·February 15, 2016·2 min read

Noradrenaline Linked to Vulnerability to Depression

A new study reveals a link between a vulnerability to depression and noradrenergic neurons. Read More

Image shows the location of the VTA in the brain.

Featured Neurology Pain

·April 4, 2016·5 min read

Electrical Stimulation of Deep Brain Structures May Help Ease Chronic Pain

Researchers use a wireless electrical device to stimulate deep brain areas and provide relief for chronic pain. Read More

Featured Neuroscience

·June 2, 2020·3 min read

Estrogen’s role in the sex differences of alcohol abuse

Estrogen level fluctuations appear to play a role in alcohol use disorder in women. Reducing the number of estrogen receptors in the ventral tegmental area decreased binge drinking behaviors in female mouse models. Read More

Featured Neuroscience

·November 8, 2018·5 min read

Dopamine Primes the Brain for Enhanced Vigilance

Researchers have identified a brain network that may control the diversion of attention to focus on potential threats. Dopamine, they report, is key to the process. Read More

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Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·August 8, 2019·2 min read

The neurochemistry of social perception

Researchers examined the effects oxytocin and vasopressin had on perceptions of social dominance. Oxytocin increased perception of greater dominance. Neuroimaging revealed the findings were also reflected in changes in brain regions associated with social perception. Read More

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